Information processing device, and method and computer readable storage device therefor

ABSTRACT

An information processing device configured to be connected with an image forming device includes a connection mode detecting unit detecting what kind of a connection mode is established between the information processing device and the image forming device, an operation mode setting unit setting one of a normal mode in which the image forming device performs the image forming operation without user certification and a secure mode in which the image forming device performs the image forming operation after successful user certification, as an operation mode in which the image forming device is controlled to perform an image forming operation, depending on the kind of the connection mode detected, and a driver installing unit installing a driver into the information processing device such that the driver controls the image forming device to perform the image forming operation in the mode set by the operation mode setting unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/240,547 filed on Sep. 29, 2008 and claimspriority under 35 U.S.C. §119 from Japanese Patent Application No.2007-254351 filed on Sep. 28, 2007. The entire subject matter of each ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The following description relates to one or more technologies to installa driver into an information processing device.

2. Related Art

A print system has been known, which includes an image forming devicehaving at least a normal mode and a secure mode as operation modes forperforming a printing operation on a sheet based upon print data and aninformation processing device connected with the image forming device.In the normal mode, the image forming device performs the printingoperation immediately after acquiring the print data. Meanwhile, in thesecure mode, the image forming device performs the printing operationafter previously-defined user certification has successfully been done.

In the aforementioned print system, settings on a sheet to be used (forexample, a size of the sheet) and a character to be printed (forexample, a font of the character) are accepted through a setting screendisplayed on a display unit of the information processing device everytime the print data is transmitted from the information processingdevice to the image forming device. In the same manner, settings on thesecure mode is accepted through a setting screen displayed on thedisplay unit of the information processing device every time a printingoperation is performed (for example, see Japanese Patent ProvisionalPublication No. 2005-310029, hereinafter referred to as '029Publication). Hereinafter, the print system disclosed in '029Publication will be referred to as a known print system.

Namely, in the known print system, when a user wishes to perform aprinting operation in the secure mode, the user has to configure thesettings on the secure mode every time the printing operation isexecuted.

SUMMARY

In the meantime, for a user who often print confidential data, when theknown print system is used while a plurality of information processingdevices, which includes an information processing device of the user,use a single image forming device in common (hereinafter referred to asa first case), it is desired that the secure mode has previously beenset as a default operation mode in which the image forming device iscontrolled by default.

Further, when the information processing device of the user exclusivelyuses a single image forming device (hereinafter referred to as a secondcase), it is possible to keep confidentiality of printed data withouthaving to perform the secure mode printing. Therefore, it is desiredthat the normal mode has previously been set as the default operationmode.

However, it is unfortunate that a lot of user efforts are needed in theknown print system. Specifically, the user has to set the operationmodes every time a printing operation is executed when the user cannotunderstand how to set the default operation mode for controlling theimage forming device or when the user sets an improper default operationmode in the first case or the second case.

Aspects of the present invention are advantageous to provide one or moreimproved information processing devices, installation methods, andcomputer readable media that make it possible to reduce user effortsrequired for setting an operation mode for controlling an image formingoperation performed by an image forming device connected with theinformation processing devices.

According to aspects of the present invention, an information processingdevice configured to be connected with an image forming device isprovided. The information processing device includes a connection modedetecting unit configured to detect what kind of a connection mode isestablished between the information processing device and the imageforming device, an operation mode setting unit configured to set one ofa normal mode and a secure mode as an operation mode in which the imageforming device is controlled to perform an image forming operation,depending on the kind of the connection mode detected by the connectionmode detecting unit, the normal mode being a mode in which the imageforming device performs the image forming operation without usercertification, the secure mode being a mode in which the image formingdevice performs the image forming operation after successful usercertification, and a driver installing unit configured to install adriver into the information processing device such that the drivercontrols the image forming device to perform the image forming operationin the one of the normal mode and the secure mode set by the operationmode setting unit.

In some aspects of the present invention, the operation mode is set at atime when the driver is installed into the information processing devicedepending on the kind of the connection mode as detected.

Therefore, in some aspects, it is possible to reduce user effortsrequired for selecting one of the normal mode and the secure mode as theoperation mode each time the image forming operation is performed afterthe driver is installed into the information processing device.

According to aspects of the present invention, further provided is amethod to install a driver into an information processing deviceconfigured to be connected with an image forming device. The methodincludes a connection mode detecting step of detecting what kind of aconnection mode is established between the information processing deviceand the image forming device, an operation mode setting step of settingone of a normal mode and a secure mode as an operation mode in which theimage forming device is controlled to perform an image formingoperation, depending on the kind of the connection mode detected in theconnection mode detecting step, the normal mode being a mode in whichthe image forming device performs the image forming operation withoutuser certification, the secure mode being a mode in which the imageforming device performs the image forming operation after successfuluser certification, and a driver installing step of installing thedriver into the information processing device such that the drivercontrols the image forming device to perform the image forming operationin the one of the normal mode and the secure mode set in the operationmode setting step.

According to the method configured as above, the same effect as theaforementioned information processing device is provided. Specifically,the operation mode is set at a time when the driver is installed intothe information processing device depending on the kind of theconnection mode as detected.

Thereby, it is possible to reduce user efforts required for set eitherthe normal mode or the secure mode as the operation mode whenever theimage forming operation is performed after the driver is installed intothe information processing device.

According to aspects of the present invention, further provided is acomputer readable medium having computer executable instructions storedthereon, which cause a computer configured to be connected with an imageforming device to perform a connection mode detecting step of detectingwhat kind of a connection mode is established between the informationprocessing device and the image forming device, an operation modesetting step of setting one of a normal mode and a secure mode as anoperation mode in which the image forming device is controlled toperform an image forming operation, depending on the kind of theconnection mode detected in the connection mode detecting step, thenormal mode being a mode in which the image forming device performs theimage forming operation without user certification, the secure modebeing a mode in which the image forming device performs the imageforming operation after successful user certification, and a driverinstalling step of installing the driver into the information processingdevice such that the driver controls the image forming device to performthe image forming operation in the one of the normal mode and the securemode set in the operation mode setting step.

According to the computer readable medium configured as above, the sameeffect as the aforementioned information processing device is provided.Specifically, the operation mode is set at a time when the driver isinstalled into the information processing device depending on the kindof the connection mode as detected.

Thus, it is possible to reduce user efforts required for set either thenormal mode or the secure mode as the operation mode every time theimage forming operation is performed after the driver is installed intothe information processing device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of aprint system in an embodiment according to one or more aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an installation packagein the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 is an illustration schematically showing a configuration of printdata in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an installation process inthe embodiment according to one or more aspects of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration schematically showing a secure printingsetting screen in the embodiment according to one or more aspects of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram exemplifying a screen image displayed on adisplay panel in secure printing in the embodiment according to one ormore aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements inthe following description. It is noted that these connections in generaland, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that thisspecification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. Aspects ofthe invention may be implemented in computer software as programsstorable on computer-readable media including but not limited to RAMs,ROMs, flash memory, EEPROMs, CD-media, DVD-media, temporary storage,hard disk drives, floppy drives, permanent storage, and the like.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to aspects of the present inventionwill be described with reference to the accompany drawings.

Regarding Print System

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of aprint system that includes an information processing device into which adevice driver is installed with an installation program in an embodimentaccording to aspects of the present invention.

A print system 1 is provided with a plurality of information processingdevices 20 configured to create print data and at least one imageforming device 30 configured to form an image on a recording mediumbased upon the print data created by the information processing devices20. The information processing devices 20 and the image forming device30 are connected to a local area network (LAN). It is noted that theprint system 1 may be configured with an information processing device20 and an image forming device 30 being linked via a USB cable.

In the print system 1, when an information processing device 20 runs abelow-mentioned device driver, print data is created and transmitted tothe image forming device 30. Then, the image forming device 30, whichhas received the print data, forms an image on a recording medium basedupon the print data.

Regarding Image Forming Device

The image forming device 30 includes a printing unit configured to printan image based upon print data on a recording medium such as a sheet, aUSB interface (I/F) 33 configured to perform image data communicationwith an external device such as the information processing devices 20and a digital camera via a USB cable, and a two-way communicationinterface (I/F) 35 configured to perform data communication with theinformation processing devices 20 via the LAN. Further, the imageforming device 30 is provided with an operation unit 38 that includescursor keys and switches for inputting various settings and commands anda display panel configured to display thereon various menu screens,information inputted by a user, and an error display, and a control unit36 configured to control each element of the image forming device 30(e.g., the printing unit 31, the USB I/F 33, and the communication I/F35) in accordance with settings and/or commands inputted through theoperation unit 38.

The control unit 36 includes a ROM configured to store thereon variousprograms, a RAM configured to store thereon data temporarily, an NVRAMconfigured to store thereon data that has to be saved even though heimage forming device 30 is powered OFF, and a CPU configured to executevarious processes in accordance with programs.

The ROM includes a printing process program stored thereon that isconfigured to determine an operation mode in which the image formingdevice 30 performs an image forming process based upon print dataacquired from an information processing device 20 and to perform theimage forming process in which an image based upon the print data isprinted on a recording medium in the determined operation mode.

In the present embodiment, the operation mode of the image formingdevice 30 includes a normal mode and a secure mode. In the normal mode,when the print data is acquired, an image is formed based upon the printdata without certificating a sender (user) who has transmitted the printdata from the information processing device 20 to the image formingdevice 30. Meanwhile, in the secure mode, when the print data isacquired, the image is formed based upon the print data aftercertificating the sender of the print data.

The certification of the print data will be described later. In themeantime, the print data is generated when the information processingdevice 20 executes the device driver. As illustrated in FIG. 3, theprint data includes a header in which information for controlling theimage forming device 30 is written and a data portion in which data ofthe image to be formed on a recording medium is written in a known pagedescription language.

Further, the header includes a flag area, an ID area, and a passwordarea. In the flag area, an operation flag is set that specifies one ofthe normal mode and the secure mode as the operation mode of the imageforming device 30. In the ID area, a user ID representing the sender ofthe print data is written when the secure mode is specified. In thepassword area, identification information for identifying the sender ofthe print data is written when the secure mode is specified.

Specifically, in the image forming device 30, when the operation flag inthe print data acquired from the information processing device 20specifies the normal mode, a printing operation (hereinafter, a printingoperation in the normal mode will be referred to as normal printing) isperformed immediately after the acquisition of the print data.Meanwhile, when the operation flag in the print data specifies thesecure mode, the image forming device 30 (the control unit 36) displaysa display screen as shown in FIG. 6 on the display panel of theoperation unit 38. Then, when the sender of the print data is certifiedin accordance with information accepted through the operation unit 38(e.g., selection of a print job and input of a password), a printingoperation (hereinafter, a printing operation in the secure mode will bereferred to as secure printing) is performed based upon the print datastored on the NVRAM of the control unit 36. It is noted that “the senderis certified” represents that a password written in the header of theprint data selected by the user of the image forming device 30 isidentical to the information inputted through the operation unit 38.

Configuration of Information Processing Device

Subsequently, the information processing devices 20 will be described.As shown in FIG. 1, each of the information processing devices 20includes a data reading unit 6 configured to read programs and datastored on a CD-ROM or a DVD-ROM, a subsidiary storage device 5configured to store thereon programs and data, an operation unit 7 forinputting various kinds of information required for operating theinformation processing device 20, and a display unit 8 configured todisplay thereon an image. Further, the information processing device 20includes a control unit 10 configured to control each unit included inthe information processing device 20 (e.g., the data reading unit 6 andthe operation unit 7), a network interface (I/F) 9 for connecting theinformation processing device 20 to the LAN, and a USB interface (I/F)14 configured to perform data communication with an external device viaa USB cable.

The operation unit 7 includes a known external input device such as amouse and a keyboard. Further, the operation unit 7 is connected withthe control unit 10 via a connection portion such as the USB I/F 14 toaccept an input of various kinds of information. In addition, thedisplay unit 8 is configured with a known device such as a liquidcrystal display device (LCD) and connected with the control unit 10 viaa connection portion such as a video board (not shown) to displaythereon an image outputted from the control unit 10. On the display unit8, a user interface screen through which various kinds of informationare inputted and a mouse pointer are displayed with a known graphicaluser interface (GUI) function of the information processing device 20.

Furthermore, the control unit 10 includes a ROM 12 configured to storethereon data required to be saved even when the information processingdevice 20 is powered OFF, a RAM 13 configured to store thereon data(program) transferred from the subsidiary storage device 5 and datatemporarily generated in processing, and a CPU 11 configured to executeprograms stored on the ROM 12 and the RAM 13.

The subsidiary storage device 5 includes a known hard disk drive (HDD)configured integrally with a high capacity disk and a reading unit. Thesubsidiary storage device 5 is provided with at least a system folder inwhich various system files required for operation of an OS and/orapplication programs are stored and a registry in which information foroperating application programs is stored.

Further, the information processing device 20 has a known operatingsystem (hereinafter referred to as an OS) installed therein, which isprovided with a multitask function of concurrently executing a pluralityof processes. Under the OS, the information processing device 20 canexecute application programs such as a document data creating programand an image processing program, the device driver, and an installationprogram (i.e., an installer).

Regarding Device Driver and Installation Program

Next, explanations will be given for an installation package that holdstogether the device driver for controlling the image forming device 30and the installation program for installing the device driver into theinformation processing device 20.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for illustrating an installation package.An installation package 60 includes a device driver 61 for generatingprint data in conjunction with an application program and controllingthe image forming device 30 and an installation program 65 forinstalling the device driver 61 into the information processing device20.

It is noted that the installation package 60 of the present embodimentis distributed from a software provider in a state stored on a removablestorage medium such as a CD-ROM and a DVD-ROM, and read out from areading device (e.g., the data reading unit 6 of the informationprocessing device 20) that conforms to each storage medium.

Incidentally, the installation of the device driver 61 represents afollowing known process. Specifically, a setting file is created thatthe information processing device 20 refers to when the image formingdevice 30 is controlled (namely, when the device driver 61 is executed).Then, the created setting file and a driver configuration file forcontrolling the image forming device 30 that is included in the devicedriver 61 are stored in a predetermined area (for instance, a systemfolder) of the subsidiary storage device 5 managed by the OS. Further,device information, which includes correspondence relationships betweenthe aforementioned files and the image forming device 30 such asreference destinations of the files, is registered in the registry.

The setting file includes a language setting file in which settings on adisplay language on a user interface screen outputted on the displayunit 8 in execution of the device driver 61 are stored and a securesetting file in which information referred to when the header of theprint data is created is stored.

The secure setting file includes an operation setting, a switch setting,and a password setting. In the operation setting, the operation settingflag representing a default operation mode is stored. In the switchsetting, a switch flag, which represents whether a change of the defaultoperation mode is acceptable in execution of the device driver 61, isstored. The password setting is referred to in order to write, into theheader of the print data, the identification information for identifyingthe user, in execution of the device driver 61.

The setting file further includes an output port based upon an IPaddress of the image forming device 30 and control settings required forusing the image forming device 30.

Namely, in the present embodiment, when the device driver 61 conformingto the image forming device 30 is installed, as shown in FIG. 2, thedriver configuration file and the setting file included in the devicedriver 61 are stored in the system folder, and the device information isregistered in the registry.

Regarding Installation Process

Subsequently, an installation process will be described, which isexecuted by the CPU 11 in accordance with the installation program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure of an installation process.The installation process is executed by the CPU 11 of the informationprocessing device 20 after the installation package is read out by thedata reading unit 6. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the installationprocess is performed, firstly in S110, a setting input screen forselecting a display language on the user interface screen is displayedon the display unit 8. Then, when user selection of a display languageis accepted through the setting input screen, the present process goesto S120.

It is noted that the setting input screen represents a user interfacescreen displayed on the display unit 8 to accept an input via theoperation unit 7. Additionally, display languages selectable in S110include Japanese, English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and Pekingese.

In a subsequent step S120, a setting input screen for selecting aconnection mode between the image forming device 30 and the informationprocessing device 20 is displayed on the display unit 8. Then, when userselection of a connection mode is accepted through the setting inputscreen, the present process advances to S130. In the present embodiment,selectable connection modes include a connection via the LAN(hereinafter referred to as a network connection) and a connection via aUSB cable (hereinafter referred to as a local connection).

Then, in S130, it is determined whether the connection mode selected inS120 is the network connection. When it is determined that the selectedconnection mode is the network connection (S130: Yes), the presentprocess goes to S140. In S140, a folder into which the device driver 61is installed (an installation destination folder) is generated in thesystem folder on the subsidiary storage device 5. Then, the driverconfiguration file acquired from the removable storage medium is storedin the installation destination folder generated. Further, an area inwhich the setting file is stored is secured on the subsidiary storagedevice 5, and the output port and the control settings included in thesetting file are saved in the secured area.

In a subsequent step S150, a setting input screen (hereinafter referredto as a secure printing setting screen), on which the user is allowed toselect an operation mode in which the image forming device 30 isoperated by default, is displayed on the display unit 8. Then, when theoperation mode selected by the user via the secure printing settingscreen is accepted, the present process advances to S160.

As shown in FIG. 5, the secure printing setting screen of the presentembodiment includes an operation mode selecting section 51, an executionselecting section 52, a password input section 53, and a “Next” button54 to be pressed when input operations are completed. The operation modeselecting section 51 is provided to select one of the normal mode andthe secure mode as the default operation mode. The execution selectingsection 52 is provided to select one of a regular secure mode in whichthe secure printing is always performed and a selective secure mode inwhich it is determined, in time point when the printing operation isexecuted, whether the secure printing is performed, when the secure modeis selected in the operation mode selecting section 51. The passwordinput section 53 is provided to accept the identification informationwhen the regular secure mode is selected in the execution selectingsection 52.

The operation mode selecting section 51 is configured to accept theselection between the normal mode (in FIG. 5, “Secure Printing OFF”) andthe secure mode (in FIG. 5, “Secure Printing ON”) through an input intoa desired one of check boxes. The execution selecting section 52 isconfigured to accept the selection between the regular secure mode andthe selective secure mode through an input into a desired one of radiobuttons when the secure mode is selected in the operation mode selectingsection 51. The password input section 53 is configured to accept aninput of characters via the operation unit 7 when the regular securemode is selected in the execution selecting section 52.

In the present embodiment, when the “Next” button 54 is pressed, theinput in each section 51, 52, or 53 is accepted. In a subsequent stepS160, it is determined whether the input accepted in the operation modeselecting section 51, among the settings accepted in S150, specifies thesecure mode as the default operation mode. When it is determined thatthe input accepted in the operation mode selecting section 51 specifiesthe secure mode as the default operation mode (S160: Yes), the presentprocess goes to S170.

In S170, it is determined whether the input accepted in the executionselecting section 52 specifies the regular secure mode. When it isdetermined that the input accepted in the execution selecting section52, among the settings accepted in S150, specifies the regular securemode (S170: Yes), the present process goes to S180.

In S180, according to the inputs accepted in S150, the operation settingflag is set to a high level, and the switch flag is set to a low level.It is noted that the operation setting flag at the high level representsthe secure mode as the default operation mode while the operationsetting flag at the low level represents the normal mode as the defaultoperation mode. Further, the switch flag at the high level representsthat the default operation mode can be changed when the device driver isexecuted. Meanwhile, the switch flag at the low level represents thatthe default operation mode cannot be changed.

In a subsequent S190, it is determined whether the inputs accepted inS150 include identification information (password). When it isdetermined that the inputs accepted in S150 include identificationinformation (S190: Yes), the present process advances to S200.

In S200, a password setting, in which the identification informationinputted in the password input section 53 is included, is generated andsaved in the setting file. Thereby, the inputted identificationinformation is always utilized as fixed default information. Thereafter,the present process goes to S250.

Meanwhile, when it is determined in S190 that the inputs accepted inS150 do not include any identification information (S190: No), thepresent process goes to S250 without executing the step S200 (namely,without generating the password setting). Thereby, it is required toinput the identification information each time the header of the printdata is created (namely, each time the secure printing is performed),

Meanwhile, when it is determined in S170 that the input accepted in theexecution selecting section 52 does not specify the regular secure mode,namely, when it is determined that the input accepted in the executionselecting section 52 specifies the selective secure mode (S170: No), thepresent process advances to S210. In S210, according to the inputaccepted in S150, the switch flag is set to the high level, and theoperation setting flag is set to the high level. Thereafter, the presentprocess goes to S250.

Further, when it is determined that the input accepted in S150 does notspecify the secure mode but the normal mode as the default operationmode (S160: No), the present process goes to S220. In S220, according tothe input accepted in S150, the switch flag is set to the high level,and the operation setting flag is set to the low level. Thereafter, thepresent process advances to S250.

Meanwhile, when it is determined in S130 that the selected connectionmode is the local connection (S130: No), the present process goes toS230. In S230, the installation destination folder is generated in thesystem folder, and the driver configuration file acquired from theremoval storage medium is stored into the generated installationdestination folder. Along with this, an area to store therein thesetting file is secured on the subsidiary storage device 5, and files(e.g., the language setting file and the control settings) in thesetting file other than the secure setting file are stored into thesecured area in the subsidiary storage device 5.

In a subsequent step S240, the switch flag is set to the low level, andthe operation setting flag is set to the low level. Thereafter, thepresent process goes to S250, in which the settings of the switch flagand the operation setting flag at this time are written into the switchsetting and the operation setting, respectively. Further, the deviceinformation is registered in the registry.

Namely, when the present process advances to S250 via S180, the switchflag at the low level is stored as the switch setting, and the operationsetting flag at the high level is stored as the operation setting.Further, when the present process advances to S250 via S210, the switchflag at the high level is stored as the switch setting, and theoperation setting flag at the high level is stored as the operationsetting.

In addition, when the present process advances to S250 via S220, theswitch flag at the high level is stored as the switch setting, and theoperation setting flag at the low level is stored as the operationsetting. Further, when the present process advances to S250 via S240,the switch flag at the low level is stored as the switch setting, andthe operation setting flag at the low level is stored as the operationsetting.

After the step S250, the installation process is terminated. In otherwords, when the installation process of the present embodiment isexecuted, in the case via S180 (i.e., in the case of the networkconnection where the regular secure mode is selected), in theinformation processing device 20 into which the device driver 61 hasbeen installed, the secure mode is set as the default operation mode.

Further, when the installation process is performed, in the case viaS240 (i.e., in the case of the local connection), the normal mode is setas the default operation mode in the information processing device 20into which the device driver 61 has been installed.

Meanwhile, when the installation process is executed, in the case wherethe device driver 61 is installed via S210 or S220 (namely, in thenetwork connection without the regular secure mode being set), anoperation mode can be selected each time printing is executed in theimage forming device 30. Namely, the default operation mode can bechanged.

Accordingly, when the device driver 61 is executed in the informationprocessing device 20 into which the device driver 61 has been installedin this manner, the information processing device 20 first checks theswitch flag stored in the switch setting.

As a result of the checking, when the switch flag is set at the lowlevel, the operation setting flag stored in the operation setting ischecked. When the operation setting flag is set at the low level, theprint data is created with the operation flag specifying the normal modewritten in the header thereof and transmitted to the image formingdevice 30.

Meanwhile, when the operation setting flag is at the high level, theprint data is created with the operation flag specifying the secure modeand a user ID previously assigned to the information processing device20 that has executed the device driver 61 written in the header thereof.Further, when identification information is stored in the passwordsetting, the stored identification information is written into theheader as a password. Meanwhile, when identification information is notstored in the password setting, print data is created withidentification information, which is accepted via the user interfacescreen when the device driver 61 is executed, written in the headerthereof. Then, the created print data is transmitted to the imageforming device 30.

It is noted that, as a result of the checking of the switch flag, whenthe switch flag is at the high level, print data is created with theoperation flag specifying an operation mode accepted via the userinterface screen, the user ID, and the password written in the headerthereof. Then, the created print data is transmitted to the imageforming device 30.

As described above, in the installation process of the presentembodiment, when the connection mode between the information processingdevice 20 and the image forming device 30 is the network connection inwhich a plurality of information processing devices 20 may use the sameimage forming device 30 in common, the default operation mode isselected by the user via the user interface screen. On the contrary,when the connection mode is the local connection in which theinformation processing device 20 and the image forming device 30establish one-on-one connection therebetween, since the confidentialityof the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device30 is easily maintained, the normal mode is automatically set as thedefault operation mode.

Thus, by executing the installation program of the present embodiment,in the information processing device 20 into which the device driver 61has been installed, one of the normal mode and the secure mode is set asthe default operation mode in accordance with the connection modebetween the information processing device 20 and the image formingdevice 30.

Effects of Embodiment

As described above, according to the installation program of the presentembodiment, depending on how the print system 1 is used, an appropriatemode is set as the default operation mode.

Consequently, according to the installation program of the presentembodiment, each time printing is performed in the image forming device30, there is no need to configure necessary settings for each mode.Therefore, it is possible to reduce user efforts.

Further, according to the installation program of the presentembodiment, when the connection mode is the local connection, the normalmode is automatically set as the default operation mode. Hence, it ispossible to prevent the secure mode from being unnecessarily set. Thus,it is possible to save troubles taken for the certification when animage forming operation is executed.

In the installation program of the present embodiment, when the securemode is selected as the default operation mode, one of the regularsecure mode and the selective secure mode is selected by the user.Therefore, when the user prints a highly confidential image, the usercan certainly maintain the confidentiality of the image formed by theimage forming device 30 by inputting the identification information eachtime the image forming operation is performed in the selective securemode.

Meanwhile, when the regular secure mode is selected, it is possible toreduce user efforts of inputting the identification information to bewritten into the print data on the information processing device 20.

Further, in the installation program of the present embodiment, when thedevice driver is installed into the information processing device 20,the setting input screen for selecting an operation mode as the defaultoperation mode is displayed to induce the user to set the defaultoperation mode therethrough.

Thus, according to the installation program of the present embodiment,it is possible to make the user certainly recognize that the operationmodes includes the secure mode.

Hereinabove, the embodiments according to aspects of the presentinvention have been described. The present invention can be practiced byemploying conventional materials, methodology and equipment.Accordingly, the details of such materials, equipment and methodologyare not set forth herein in detail. In the previous descriptions,numerous specific details are set forth, such as specific materials,structures, chemicals, processes, etc., in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. However, it should be recognizedthat the present invention can be practiced without reapportioning tothe details specifically set forth. In other instances, well knownprocessing structures have not been described in detail, in order not tounnecessarily obscure the present invention.

Only exemplary embodiments of the present invention and but a fewexamples of its versatility are shown and described in the presentdisclosure. It is to be understood that the present invention is capableof use in various other combinations and environments and is capable ofchanges or modifications within the scope of the inventive concept asexpressed herein.

Modifications

In S150 and S160 of the installation process in the aforementionedembodiment, an operation mode is selected by the user. However, when theconnection mode is the network connection, the secure mode mayautomatically be set as the default operation mode. In other words, thesteps of S150 and S160 may be omitted in the installation process.

Thus, when the secure mode is automatically set as the default operationmode, it is possible to further certainly maintain the confidentialityof the image formed on the recording medium by the image forming device30. In the network connection, two or more information processingdevices are likely to use a single image forming device in common.Therefore, the secure mode is more likely to be selected than the normalmode in which it is difficult to maintain the confidentiality of animage to be formed on a recording medium. [0093] Further, the printsystem 1 of the aforementioned embodiment is configured such that thedefault operation mode can be changed by setting the switch flag.Aspects of the present invention are not limited to the aboveconfiguration. For example, the default operation mode may be fixedforever.

Further, in the installation process of the aforementioned embodiment,the connection mode is determined based upon the user selection in S120.However, the connection mode may be determined to be the networkconnection or the local connection by electrically detecting a LAN cableconnected to the network I/F 9 or a USB cable connected to the USB I/F14, respectively.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processing device, comprising: aprocessor coupled to at least one interface, the processor beingconfigured to perform: writing particular information into a settingfile of a printer driver configured to be installed in a printer user'scomputer, the printer driver being configured to control an imageforming device to operate in one of a normal mode in which an imageformation is available without user certification and a secure mode inwhich the image formation is available after successful usercertification, the particular information comprising designation of oneof a regular secure mode in which the secure mode is available but thenormal mode is not available when executing the printer driver and aselective secure mode in which the secure mode and the normal mode areavailable selectively when executing the printer driver; and installingthe printer driver in the printer user's computer, one of the regularsecure mode and the selective secure mode being specified in the printerdriver based on the designation.
 2. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured toperform: accepting a user's input of the designation of the regularsecure mode or the selective secure mode; and writing the particularinformation including the designation into the setting file.
 3. Theinformation processing device according to claim 2, further comprising adisplay unit coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform: displaying a setting input screen on the displayunit to allow the user to input the designation; and accepting theuser's input of the designation on the setting input screen.
 4. Theinformation processing device according to claim 2, wherein theprocessor is further configured to perform: accepting an input ofidentification information to be used for the user certification in thesecure mode; and writing the accepted identification information intothe setting file.
 5. The information processing device according toclaim 4, wherein the processor is further configured to perform:allowing the input of the identification information when accepting theuser's input of the designation of the regular secure mode.
 6. Theinformation processing device according to claim 4, wherein theprocessor is further configured to perform: generating print data whenthe particular information written in the setting file indicates theregular secure mode, wherein the print data includes the identificationinformation, which is written in the setting file.
 7. The informationprocessing device according to claim 4, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform: generating print data when the particularinformation written in the setting file indicates the regular securemode and the identification information is not written in the settingfile, wherein the print data includes the identification informationaccepted via a user interface screen.
 8. The information processingdevice according to claim 1, wherein the setting file comprises a switchsetting that stores a switch flag representing whether a change betweenthe secure mode and the normal mode is acceptable in execution of theprinter driver.
 9. An information processing device, comprising: aprocessor coupled to at least one interface, the processor beingconfigured to perform: writing particular information into a settingfile of a printer driver configured to be installed in a printer user'scomputer, the printer driver being configured to control an imageforming device, the particular information comprising a firstdesignation of one of a normal mode in which an image formation isavailable without user certification and a secure mode in which theimage formation is available after successful user certification, theparticular information further comprising a second designation of one ofa regular secure mode in which the secure mode is available but thenormal mode is not available when executing the printer driver and aselective secure mode in which the secure mode and the normal mode areavailable selectively when executing the printer driver; and installingthe printer driver in the printer user's computer, one of the normalmode and secure mode being specified in the printer driver based on thefirst designation and in the secure mode one of the regular secure modeand the selective secure mode being specified in the printer driverbased on the second designation.
 10. The information processing deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the processor is further configured toperform: accepting a user's input of the first designation of the normalmode or the secure mode; accepting a user's input in the secure mode ofthe second designation of the regular secure mode or the selectivesecure mode; and writing the particular information including the firstand second designations into the setting file.
 11. The informationprocessing device according to claim 10, further comprising a displayunit coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to perform: displaying a setting input screen on the displayunit to allow the user to input the first and second designations; andaccepting the user's input of the first and second designation on thesetting input screen.
 12. A method comprising: writing particularinformation into a setting file of a printer driver configured to beinstalled in a printer user's computer, the printer driver beingconfigured to control an image forming device to operate in one of anormal mode in which an image formation is available without usercertification and a secure mode in which the image formation isavailable after successful user certification, the particularinformation comprising designation of one of a regular secure mode inwhich the secure mode is available but the normal mode is not availablewhen executing the printer driver and a selective secure mode in whichthe secure mode and the normal mode are available selectively whenexecuting the printer driver; and installing the printer driver in theprinter user's computer, one of the regular secure mode and theselective secure mode being specified in the printer driver based on thedesignation.
 13. An computer readable storage device having computerexecutable instructions stored thereon that, when executed, cause aninformation processing device configured to be connected with an imageforming device to perform: writing particular information into a settingfile of a printer driver configured to be installed in a printer user'scomputer, the printer driver being configured to control an imageforming device to operate in one of a normal mode in which an imageformation is available without user certification and a secure mode inwhich the image formation is available after successful usercertification, the particular information comprising designation of oneof a regular secure mode in which the secure mode is available but thenormal mode is not available when executing the printer driver and aselective secure mode in which the secure mode and the normal mode areavailable selectively when executing the printer driver; and installingthe printer driver in the printer user's computer, one of the regularsecure mode and the selective secure mode being specified in the printerdriver based on the designation.